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SALT LAKE CITY — This week marks the end of production in rural Utah for the New Testament series of videos from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Mormon Newsroom reports crews have been filming for more than two years on a 3-acre set near Goshen that looks like ancient Jerusalem.
The church has produced 49 Bible videos — vignettes that portray the life of Jesus Christ in New Testament times. More videos will be released throughout the year.
The church said the videos have been well-received with more than 5.5 million views for the 2- to 5-minute segments.
Scott Smiley, director of film and video for the church, said, "I've heard that both church members and those of other faiths have used them to teach in their homes and in their congregations, to bring the Bible to life.
We're a very media-savvy culture, and we have to teach the gospel in a way that people relate to it now, and this is a great opportunity to do that.
–Scott Smiley
That's wonderful; we want people to be able to use them and recognize how wonderful the story of Jesus is for all of us."
The set spans the size of two football fields on church-owned property and was dressed and lit differently to help each scene look unique. The architecture is based on historical research to accurately depict the region.
It was built to last more than two decades. The church plans to use it again, although no specific projects have been announced.
